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Minni Arko Minawi leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) gave an exclusive speech to Miraya FM.
The government does not respect itself and returning to the point of the beginning is its own responsibility, Minawi says.
Interviewed by: Abdulhamid Awad
Several months ago Minni, chief assistants of the President, leader of SLM left his office in the presidential palace. Such absence put question marks among the community and on political level in Khartoum, Darfur and internationally. In particular with those who are interested with Darfur crisis? However, the most important signal given by Minawi, who preferred to stay somewhere in Darfur among his forces, is that he fixed the final wedge in the coffin of Abuja agreement signed less than two years back.
Some leaders of his faction described his absence as normal, and that is does not necessarily means desertion of peace process. In order to look into Obscurities of political vacuum in the political scene created by Minawi, particularly in Khartoum, Miraya FM contacted Minawi and carried out the following dialogue:
Miraya: First, Mr. Minawi yesterday the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) accused your forces of attacking their convoy among which there were civilian vehicles, where at least four (4) people were killed, what is your comments?
Minawi: No, No. From the beginning the accusation should be directed to the SAF or rather to the government troops called the Central Reserve Forces (CRF) which represent the other face of Janjaweed. These forces started to kill innocent people, and violate Abuja agreement continuously along with attacking our areas. During the last few months they have killed 27 persons of our forces. We tribute the Armed Forces, but forces used by the government now, represents the other face of the Janjaweed and named the Central Reserve Forces. Actually, they are a group of people gathered by authorities and mobilized without training. These people attacked our area at Abu Hamra, which is well known as our own site for six years. Till now we did not accuse the Army while we accuse the (CRF).
Miraya: But the Army itself accused you yesterday of attacking their convoy as I asked you before, which means that you are now actually accused?
Minawi: This is false, and a trial to cover a bad deed carried out by the (CRF) before two days, but we will not stay just watching if they try again.
We respected seize fire but will not keep silent from now on in case of any violations.
Miraya: Could you explain how will you respond; because we spoke to the spokesperson of your army who confirmed that the SLM had military and political means to face such attacks, do you agree with him?
Minawi: Certainly, SLM will not keep silent towards violations all the time, as violations continued since signature of seize fire agreement in N'Djamena.
Even after signature of Abuja Agfreement, all agreements are being violated every day by governmental groups (while we kept silent) to respect seize fire, but such silence will not continue.
Miraya: Does this mean death of mechanisms specified by Abuja to deal with such violations? And is this a return to war?
Minawi: Well, this depends upon the government itself, as it is an essential part of Abuja and committed itself before the international community to follow it. So, if the government respects Abuja it will never die, but if it keeps ignoring it and the international community does not oversee concerned parties commitments, then Abuja will not exist. I reiterate if the government and the international community respect Abuja it will be a holy book, otherwise it would be mere an ink on paper.
Miraya: If Abuja is cancelled along with its mechanisms, does this mean to you a return to war square with the government, as all indications refer now?
Minawi: The question now; did Abuja die? Up to this moment will the government continue to nullify Abuja? Upon answering this question I shall clarify our position.
Actually, I was ready to see President Bashir in Darfur, but I was not invited.
Miraya: But your absence from Khartoum office in the Presidential Palace and your presence among your own forces could be an indication to beginning of war, according to observers, in the light of mutual accusations?
Minawi: My presence among my forces is not considered as violation of any agreement, because these are our own areas. Moreover, I'm in charge of Darfur and I can discharge my task from anywhere. The transitional authority in Darfur has no a specific place, so presence of the chairman of the authority among his forces does mean the war. But, government continuous violations and cheating the agreement along with international community silence towards such attitude could indicate returning to the first square, which we do not wish to happen.
Miraya: Yes, you are the chairman of Darfur transitional authority, and chief assistants of the President, but during the President's visit to Darfur itself you were not there?
Minawi: Actually, I was not invited for the visit, this is clear that the government particularly the National Congress Party (NCP) intend to marginalize the transitional authority, and cancel Abuja agreement to return to the war to kill and run away. I was ready to see the President, but not invited. Even I had no information about the visit until I heard the President addressing people in Al-Fasher city at north Darfur.
Miraya: But Mr. Minawi the President invited you in front of the masses?
Minawi: Which type of invitation?
Miraya: The President spoke to the mass meeting and said "I invite Minawi to return back to his office in the Presidential Palace, as I remember?
Minawi: This is not an invitation? If the government is ready to follow Abuja, the president should revive available mechanisms, because speaking before masses is not official. Our demands are: Seize fire, stopping violations and evaluation of Abuja.
Miraya: You are talking about non implementation of Abuja, revival of Abuja Agreement mechanisms between you and the government; do you have any other demands?
Minawi: Actually, necessary demands begin with seize fire, particularly violations by government groups. Then we could discuss Abuja Agreement in order to evaluate the same along with evaluation of Darfur peace. Also the government should enter into dialogue with non signatories of Abuja.
Miraya: You seem to be confronting the government, but some leaders in Khartoum, for instance vice president of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) Dr. Al-Rayah Mahmood said in a press statement that movement institutions absolutely reject presence of Minawi in Darfur, and that this is your own decision. Moreover, there are news about dismissing you from the position of movement's leadership, according to press resources?
Minawi: We are following all these rumors, which are engineered by NCP and the government. In case the said group takes any decision on dismissing me, then the government and NCP should take the responsibility of such action. From my part I don't need any body's permission to go to Darfur, headquarter of my activity as SLM also headquarter of my work as chairman of the transitional movement. Accordingly, if Al-Rayah Mahmood and his companions take any action it would mean their end in the movement, and end of Abuja for the Sudanese government.
The vice president of the SLM and its general secretary are the reason behind aborting Abuja, we consider them members in the NCP hiding themselves inside the movement.
Miraya: Did you consult the vice president of the movement or the general secretary on this decision, or even did you meet with the movement's institutions?
Minawi: First, the movement has different mechanisms for the agreement. Again I assure that we consider the vice president of the SLM and its general secretary as members in the CNP hiding inside SLM. If they leave the movement they will quit alone and shall be the worst people among the NCP.
As to negotiations, the movement has its own mechanisms and rules before Al-Rayah joins the movement.
Miraya: To the last point, Mr. Minawi with regard to the International Criminal Court's repercussions, your vision is not clear on the General Prosecutor's request? What is the real stand of SLM from recommendation of the General Prosecutor on indictment of President Bashir?
Minawi: We will give our opinion in due course.
Miraya: When?
Minawi: In due course as I said.
Miraya: Final word to the government.
Minawi: The government does not learn from lessons, if it respected Abuja neither Ocampo would accuse Bashir nor Omdurman would have been attacked. Even many things wouldn't happen.
Another thing, the government looks forward is to weaken its dissidents through quitting of some people from the movement, which we consider as a good guide towards unity of the movement. Therefore, the government should respect itself and should follow mechanisms specified in Abuja agreement.
Miraya: And your message to members of SLM?
Minawi: We honor their steadfastness and their solid stands.
Miraya: Thanks Minawi.
Minawi: Thanks.
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